As Spain heads into an election-charged autumn, unions and activist groups have scheduled a wave of industrial action that could disrupt both domestic and international mobility. The rail drivers’ union SEMAF has called a 24-hour nationwide walkout on 29 October, affecting all Renfe subsidiaries. Minimum-service decrees are still being negotiated, but companies have been advised to expect wide-ranging cancellations and to book flexible tickets for critical staff movements. Ground staff at Barcelona-El Prat have meanwhile suspended their months-long strike after a last-minute deal, easing baggage-handling chaos ahead of the busy All Saints weekend. Teachers’ protests in Madrid continue to block arterial roads, including occasional flash blockades of the A-3, causing knock-on traffic around Barajas. In brighter news, Spain and Italy have agreed to lift the reciprocal passport checks imposed during their summer migration spat. From this week, passengers on Italy-Spain flights once again enjoy standard Schengen controls, a relief for frequent flyers between Madrid/Barcelona and Milan/Rome. Travellers should also watch for extreme-weather alerts; Spain’s meteorological agency warns that conditions mirror those preceding the 2024 Valencia floods, and sudden downpours could trigger flight and rail delays. Multinationals are activating travel-risk dashboards and advising staff to keep itineraries flexible through November.
Source: The Local Spain
